Water-vapor attachment for gas engines



Aug. 13, 1929. R THOMAS 1,724,785

WATER VAPOR ATTACHMENT FOR GAS ENGINES Filed June 11, 1928 gwoentot liq 17707766. Thomas Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES.

RAYMOND G. THOMAS, OF

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

I WATER-VAPOR ATTACHMENT FOR GAS ENGINES.

Application filed June 11,

The present invention relates to improvements in water vapor attachments for gas engines, and has for an object to provide for the supply of a heated water vapor to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of providing a better fuel mixture and to minimize the formation of carbon, and increase efiiciency of engine operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple installation arranged to be mounted between the radiator overflow pipe and the air intake heater, and which admits of the use of the radiator vapor supply without requiring that an additional water receptacle be carried and to utilize heat and moisture normally wasted through the overflow pipe of the radiator.

A furtherobject of the invention resides in providing an improved assembly and arrangement, together with a novel form of check valve in the drain pipe of the radiator.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views;

Figure '1 is a side elevation of an internal combustion engine shown equipped with the present invention, and

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the improved drain valve.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 5 designates generally an internal combustion engine, 6 the exhaust manifold, 7 4 the intake manifold and 8 the carbureter.

The carbureter is supplied with air through the usual trunk or conduit 9, which customarily extends from a heater 10 in the form of a sleeve extending about the exhaust pipe 6. The engine fan is represented at 11 and the radiator at 12. This radiator is filled. with water through the usual filling cap 13. The usual overflow pipe is shown at 14 as having its upper end disposed within the neck of the radiator and its lower end disposed outside of the radiator and at a'low point with respect thereto.

The invention aims to utilize the vapor 1928. Serial No. 284,627.

generated in the vapor space of the radiator .12 and to convey this vapor through the overflow pipe 14 and additional pipe or conduit 15, which extends from the lower portion of the overflow pipe 1 1 to the heater 10 and delivers the water vapor to the internal space of the heater where it may it self become heated and mingledwith the air drawn in from the atmosphere around the exhaust pipe 6. The commingled air and vapor are circulated through the pipe 9 to the carbureter 8; and there the vaporized air picks up the gasoline or other fuel from the nozzle of the carbureter.

The pipe 15 is shown as coupled to the drain or overflow pipe 14. by a sleeve 16 of compressible material, which slips over the lower end of the overflow pipe 14. This sleeve 16 may be made from hard rubber or other appropriate material and it is secured about the drain pipe by use of a clamp 17 'or other fastening.

The lower reduced end 18 of the sleeve is arranged to receive the rubber check valve composed of the rubber or other flexible walls 19 and 20 shaped and disposed to close or collapse at their lower ends, except on the presence of a predetermined pressure from above which will act to separate the walls 19 and 20 and permit the discharge of water pressure: after which the walls will again seek the normally closed position and will form an air tight closure to prevent dry air and road dust from being drawn into the induction system. The sleeve 16 lends itself well to the installation job because of the difference in sizes of the overflow pipes of various makes of automobiles. The sleeve 16 and check valve are made in two pieces to facilitate renewal of the rubber check valve. The check valve will readily open to permit drainage of water when the radiator is filled, or when expansion of water or rough roads causethe radiator to overflow. This check valve not only provides for drainage of overflow water from the radiator, but also for drainage of condensed water in the pipe 15 leading to the induction system. A slight head of water is sufficient to open the check valve against engine suction, but otherwise the check valve remains closed to avoid the drawin in of atmospheric air.- The form of the c eck valve acts also as a trap to col lect water of condensation and radiator drainage and prevents shots of water being drawn into the induction system.

In operation, the vapor given oii by the radiator is drawn into the heater of the engine induction line. The amount is automatically regulated by the work performed by the engine and the size of the ipe or orifice into valve 16. Of course, more vapor is given oft as the water in the radiator warms up with increased work of the engine. The presence of the steam and vapor in the cylinders of the engine avoi is or decreases the formation of carbon and promotes utility towards an active and eiiective combustion. Thewater vapor also assists in the lubrica tion of the cylinder walls of the engine. It is desirable to connect the vapor supplyto the air heater and superheat the vapor; thus not only saving the waste heat of vaporization, but obtaining an additional heat from the engine exhaust. 7

It will be appreciated that the present invention secures an increase in moisture content of the air going into the engine, without circulating air into the radiator which would result in undue evaporationof the v water therein.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invent-ion without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is 1. In combination with an internal combustion engine having intake and exhaust manifolds, an air heat-er, carbureter, pipe connection between the heater and carbureter, water circulating system, radiator and overflow pipe for the radiator, of a compressible sleeve fitted over and secured to the lower end of the overflow pipe, a rubber valve secured upon a reduced lower portion of said sleeve and having collapsible rubber side walis seeking a collapsed position and adaptedto spread apart to permit the passage of water therethrough, and a vapor pipe coupled between said sleeve and the heater.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine having intake and exhaust manifolds, an air heater, a carburetor, a pipe connection between the heater and carburetor, a water circulating system, a radiator and an overflow pipe for the radiator, of a sleeve fitted to the lower end of the overflow pipe, alvalve projecting below the sleeve and having collapsible side walls seeking a collapsed position and adapted to spread apart to permit the passage of water therethrough, and a vapor pipe coupled between said sleeve and the heater.

-' RAYMOND G. THOMAS.

Patent No. 1,724,785 Granted August 13, 1929 RAYMOND G. THOMAS The above entitled patent was extended November 13, 1951, under the provisions of the act of June 30, 1950, for 7 years and 147 days from the expiration of the original term thereof.

O'ommz'ssioner of Patents. 

